WO2018230274A1

WO2018230274A1 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2018230274A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/019596
Authority: WO
Inventors: 啓介天野
Original assignee: オリンパス株式会社
Priority date: 2017-06-12
Filing date: 2018-05-22
Publication date: 2018-12-20
Also published as: JP2019000161A; US20200107708A1

Abstract

This endoscope is equipped with: an imaging unit 300 which images a test subject and has a lens unit 310 and an image transmission unit; a rigid tip member 211 which is provided in the tip section of an insertion part 21 to be inserted into the test subject, and in which a treatment instrument insertion channel 219 is formed into which a treatment instrument for performing a prescribed treatment on the test subject is inserted, and an imaging hole 216 is formed in which the imaging unit 300 is positioned, wherein a groove section 217 is provided on the base side of the imaging hole 216; and an abutting section 314 which is provided inside the rigid tip member 211 on the base side of the imaging unit 300, and abuts the tip-side end surface of the groove section 217.

Description

Endoscope

The present invention relates to an endoscope.

Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used for various examinations in the medical field and the industrial field. Among these, medical endoscopes obtain in-vivo images in a body cavity without incising the subject by inserting an insertion unit provided with an imaging unit into the body cavity of the subject such as a patient. it can. Furthermore, the medical endoscope can perform a therapeutic treatment by protruding a treatment tool from the distal end side of the insertion portion. For these reasons, it is widely used.

In the endoscope described in Patent Document 1, an imaging hole for disposing an imaging unit, a treatment instrument insertion passage, and the like are adjacent to each other in a distal end rigid member provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion. Is formed. On the distal end surface of the distal rigid member, a treatment instrument projecting port for projecting the treatment instrument inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path into the subject is formed. The imaging lens of the imaging unit disposed in the imaging hole is provided so as to be exposed from the distal end surface of the distal end hard member.

JP 2005-261746 A

When assembling the insertion portion of the endoscope, the imaging unit is inserted from the proximal end side of the imaging hole, and the abutting portion provided on the distal end side of the imaging unit is provided on the distal end side of the imaging hole. The imaging unit is positioned with respect to the distal end hard member so that the position of the imaging lens with respect to the distal end surface of the distal end hard member becomes a predetermined position by being abutted against the abutting surface. However, when the abutting surface is provided on the distal end side of the imaging unit, there may arise a problem that the diameter of the distal end hard member is prevented from being reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of positioning an imaging unit with respect to the distal end hard member while reducing the diameter of the distal end side of the distal end hard member. Is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an endoscope according to the present invention has a lens unit and an image transmission unit, and is inserted into the subject, an imaging unit that images the subject. A treatment instrument insertion path through which a treatment instrument for performing a predetermined treatment on the subject is inserted, and an imaging hole in which the imaging unit is disposed, A distal end rigid member provided with a groove on the proximal end side of the imaging hole; and an abutting portion provided on the proximal end side in the distal end hard member of the imaging unit and abutting against the distal end side end surface of the groove. It is characterized by comprising.

In the endoscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the image transmission unit includes an image transmission member and a base provided on a distal end side of the image transmission member. The abutting portion is provided separately on the outer peripheral surface of the base.

The endoscope according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the abutting portion is a C-ring.

Further, the endoscope according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the C-ring is fixed to the base by adhesion.

In the endoscope according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the image transmission member includes an image guide bundle in which a plurality of image guide fibers are bundled, or an imaging element and a signal line. It is what.

Further, in the endoscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the thickness between the imaging hole of the distal end hard member and the treatment instrument insertion path is the distal side in the axial direction of the distal end hard member. It changes from the base end side, The front end side end surface of the said groove part is located in the base end side rather than the location where the said thickness is the thinnest.

The endoscope according to the present invention has an effect that the imaging unit can be positioned with respect to the hard tip member while reducing the diameter of the hard tip member.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an endoscope system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a distal end configuration of an insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the distal end configuration of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the imaging unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a C-ring provided in the imaging unit. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the IG bundle base as viewed from the axial direction of the IG bundle base in a state where the C ring is provided. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit in the distal end hard member of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment and the vicinity thereof. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit and the vicinity thereof in the distal end hard member of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the comparative example. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the imaging unit. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a semi-tubular member provided in the imaging unit. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view seen from the axial direction of the IG bundle base in a state where the semi-tubular member is provided on the IG bundle base. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of another example of the imaging unit and its vicinity in the distal end hard member of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a case where a prismatic member is provided as an abutting portion on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a case where an inverted concave member is provided as an abutting portion on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit and the vicinity thereof in the distal end rigid member of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
A first embodiment of an ultrasonic endoscope that is an endoscope to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, an endoscope that does not include an ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part in description of drawing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an endoscope system 1 including an ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 2, an ultrasonic observation device 3, an endoscope observation device 4, a display device 5, and a light source device. 6 is a system for performing ultrasonic diagnosis in a subject such as a person using the ultrasonic endoscope 2.

The ultrasonic endoscope 2 converts an electrical pulse signal received from the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 into an ultrasonic pulse (acoustic pulse) and irradiates the subject with an ultrasonic transducer provided at the tip thereof. At the same time, the ultrasonic echo reflected from the subject is converted into an electrical echo signal expressed by a voltage change and output.

The ultrasound endoscope 2 includes an imaging unit 300 (see FIG. 3) that performs optical imaging, and the subject's digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine), or respiratory organ (trachea, bronchus). It is possible to take images of the digestive tract and respiratory organs. In addition, surrounding organs (pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, biliary tract, lymph node, mediastinal organ, blood vessel, etc.) can be imaged using ultrasound. In addition, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 has a light guide that guides illumination light to be irradiated onto the subject during imaging by the imaging unit 300. The light guide has a distal end portion reaching the distal end of the insertion portion 21 to the subject of the ultrasonic endoscope 2, and a proximal end portion connected to the light source device 6 that generates illumination light.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion 21, an operation portion 22, a universal cord 23, and a connector 24. The insertion part 21 is a part inserted into the subject. As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion portion 21 is provided on the distal end side, a distal end hard member 211 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 7, and a bending portion that is connected to the proximal end side of the distal end hard member 211 and can be bent. 212 and a flexible tube portion 213 connected to the proximal end side of the bending portion 212 and having flexibility.

In the endoscope system 1 according to the first embodiment, as the ultrasonic transducer 7, a plurality of piezoelectric elements are provided in an array, and the piezoelectric elements involved in transmission / reception are electronically switched, or the transmission / reception of each piezoelectric element is delayed. A convex type is employed in which scanning is performed electronically by applying the The method of the ultrasonic transducer 7 is not limited to the convex type, and may be a radial type or a linear type.

Here, although not shown in the drawings, a light guide that transmits illumination light supplied from the light source device 6 and a plurality of signal cables that transmit various signals are routed inside the insertion portion 21. In addition, a treatment instrument insertion passage 219 (see FIG. 3) for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps is formed.

The operation unit 22 is a part that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion unit 21 and receives various operations from a doctor or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 22 includes a bending knob 221 for performing a bending operation on the bending unit 212 and a plurality of operation members 222 for performing various operations. In addition, the operation section 22 is formed with a treatment instrument insertion port 223 that communicates with the treatment instrument insertion path 219 (see FIG. 3) and allows the treatment instrument to be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path 219.

The universal cord 23 is a cable that extends from the operation unit 22 and includes a plurality of signal cables that transmit various signals, a light guide that transmits illumination light supplied from the light source device 6, and the like.

The connector 24 is provided at the tip of the universal cord 23, and the first connector part 241, the second connector part 242, and the third connector to which the ultrasonic cable 31, the video cable 41, and the light source device 6 are connected, respectively. A connector portion 243 is provided.

The ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31 and outputs a pulse signal to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31 and is supersonic. An echo signal is input from the sonic endoscope 2. Then, the ultrasonic observation device 3 performs a predetermined process on the echo signal to generate an ultrasonic image.

The endoscope observation apparatus 4 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic endoscope 2 via a video cable 41, and an image signal from the ultrasonic endoscope 2 is input via the video cable 41. Then, the endoscope observation apparatus 4 performs a predetermined process on the image signal to generate an endoscope image.

The display device 5 is configured by using a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence), a projector, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc., and an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3 or an endoscope observation. An endoscopic image generated by the apparatus 4 is displayed.

The light source device 6 supplies illumination light for illuminating the inside of the subject to the ultrasonic endoscope 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a distal end configuration of the insertion portion 21 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the distal end configuration of the insertion portion 21 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, illustration of wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 214 is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal end side of the insertion portion 21 includes an ultrasonic transducer module 214 that holds the ultrasonic transducer 7 and an endoscope module 215. Further, on the tip side inclined surface of the endoscope module 215, an illumination lens 215a constituting the illumination unit, an observation window 215b constituting the imaging unit 300, and a treatment tool protrusion for projecting a treatment tool such as forceps are projected. A mouth 215c is provided.

In the distal end hard member 211 of the endoscope module 215, an imaging hole 216 for arranging the imaging unit 300 is provided to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 21. Further, a treatment instrument insertion passage 219 communicating with the treatment instrument protrusion 215c is provided in the distal end hard member 211, and the vicinity of the end portion of the treatment instrument insertion passage 219 connected to the treatment instrument protrusion 215c is the distal end. It is inclined upward with respect to the axial direction of the hard member 211, and the treatment instrument is provided so as to protrude in a direction inclined upward with respect to the axial direction from the treatment instrument protrusion 215c.

In addition, the axial direction of the distal end hard member 211 referred to here is a direction along the longitudinal direction when the insertion portion 21 is straightened. Further, “above the distal end rigid member 211 in the axial direction” means that the treatment instrument insertion path 219 is located above the imaging unit 300 and the ultrasonic transducer module 214 is located below the imaging unit 300. The endoscope module 215 is located at the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The imaging unit 300 includes a lens unit 310 and an image guide bundle unit (hereinafter referred to as an IG bundle unit) 320 that is an image transmission unit. The image transmission unit may be configured by an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and a signal line.

The lens unit 310 is configured by holding a plurality of lenses such as an observation window 215b and

objective lenses

311 and 312 in a lens frame 313 that is a cylindrical member. The tip of a guide fiber (hereinafter referred to as IG fiber) is abutted. Further, the proximal end side of the lens frame 313 is fixed to the distal end side of the IG bundle base 322 with an adhesive.

The IG bundle unit 320 includes an image guide bundle (hereinafter referred to as an IG bundle) 321 in which a plurality of IG fibers guided to the operation unit 22 through the bending portion 212 and the flexible tube portion 213, and the IG bundle. An IG bundle base 322 which is a cylindrical member including the distal end side of the 321 and a flexible tube 323 including a base end side of the IG bundle base 322 of the IG bundle 321 are provided.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the imaging unit 300 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the C ring 324 provided in the imaging unit 300. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view seen from the axis direction of the IG bundle base when the C ring 324 is provided on the IG bundle base 322.

In the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment, a C ring 324 as shown in FIG. 5 is used as the abutting portion for positioning the imaging unit 300 with respect to the distal end hard member 211, and the distal end rigid member of the imaging unit 300. The base end side in 211, specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 separately from the IG bundle base 322. The C ring 324 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 with an adhesive. The C ring 324 is made of a metal such as stainless steel, titanium, a titanium alloy, and a Cu—Zn alloy (brass). When the IG bundle base 322 and the C ring 324 are made of metal, the C ring 324 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 by welding instead of an adhesive. Further, the abutting portion may be provided integrally with the IG bundle base 322 and provided on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit 300 and its vicinity in the distal end hard member 211 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, illustration of wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 214 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 7, a step where the C ring 324 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 abuts is formed on the inner wall surface on the proximal end side of the imaging hole 216. This step is formed by providing a groove 217 through which the C-ring 324 provided in the IG bundle base 322 can pass along the axial direction of the imaging hole 216 on the inner wall surface on the proximal end side of the imaging hole 216. The The base end side end surface of the groove portion 217 is open, and the front end side end surface of the groove portion 217 forms an abutting surface 217 a that abuts against the front end side end surface 324 a of the C ring 324. Then, the imaging unit 300 is positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211 by abutting the abutting surface 217a provided in the groove 217 and the distal end side end surface 324a of the C ring 324 provided in the IG bundle base 322. The

The positioning of the imaging unit 300 with respect to the distal end hard member 211 in the first embodiment refers to the imaging of the observation window 215b provided in the lens unit 310 of the imaging unit 300 with respect to the distal end inclined surface of the distal end hard member 211. That is, the imaging unit 300 is assembled to the distal end hard member 211 so as to be located at a predetermined position where it does not go out or enter too much from the opening on the distal end side of the hole 216.

Here, in the middle of the treatment instrument insertion path 219 in the distal end hard member 211, a bending portion 219 a for bending the treatment instrument insertion path 219 is provided, and the treatment instrument insertion path with respect to the imaging hole 216 is provided. 219 is inclined so as to approach the imaging hole 216 from the base end side toward the bent portion 219a side, and away from the imaging hole 216 from the bent portion 219a toward the distal end side (the treatment instrument protrusion port 215c side). So as to be inclined. Thereby, the thickness between the imaging hole 216 of the distal end rigid member 211 and the treatment instrument insertion path 219 changes from the distal end side to the proximal end side, and the thickness is increased at the portion where the bent portion 219a is located. Becomes the thinnest.

In the first embodiment, the groove portion 217 is formed so that the abutting surface 217a is positioned closer to the base end side than the thinnest portion (the portion where the bent portion 219a is located) in the distal end hard member 211. At the same time, a C ring 324 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 in correspondence with the position of the abutting surface 217a.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit 300 and its vicinity in the distal end hard member 211 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the comparative example. In FIG. 8, illustration of wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 214 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, in the comparative example, the abutting portion 314 is provided integrally with the lens frame 313 on the distal end side in the distal end hard member 211 of the imaging unit 300, specifically, on the lens frame 313. Further, when the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216 from the proximal end side of the distal end hard member 211, a groove 218 through which the abutting part 314 provided in the lens frame 313 can pass is formed in the imaging hole 216. It is provided in the wall surface from the base end side to the front end side. Then, the imaging unit 300 is positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211 by abutting the abutting surface 218a which is the distal end side end surface of the groove portion 218 and the distal end side end surface 314a of the abutting portion 314 provided on the lens frame 313. Is made.

Therefore, in the comparative example, since the groove portion 218 extends also in the thinnest portion (the portion where the bent portion 219a is located), the thickness in the thinnest portion is the depth of the groove portion 218. As a result, the durability of the distal end hard member 211 is reduced. In addition, it is necessary to secure a space for the abutting surface 218 a and the abutting portion 314 on the distal end side of the distal end hard member 211, which hinders a reduction in diameter on the distal end side of the distal end hard member 211.

In contrast, in the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment, the groove portion 217 extends to the thinnest portion (the portion where the bent portion 219a of the treatment instrument insertion path 219 is located). Therefore, it can be suppressed that the thickness of the tip hard member 211 is deteriorated because the thickness is too thin. In addition, since it is only necessary to secure a space between the abutting surface 217a and the C ring 324 on the proximal end side of the distal end hard member 211, an imaging unit for the distal end hard member 211 while reducing the diameter on the distal end side of the distal end hard member 211 300 positionings can be performed.

Further, in the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment, the groove portion 217 is formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface on the proximal end side of the imaging hole 216. In the first embodiment, when the imaging unit 300 is assembled to the distal end hard member 211, the imaging unit 300 is rotated in the imaging hole 216 in order to adjust the resolution due to the arrangement direction of the IG fibers of the IG bundle unit 320. Let Therefore, the groove portion 217 is formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface on the proximal end side of the imaging hole 216, so that the abutting surface 217a is provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface. Therefore, even if the C ring 324 faces in any direction as the imaging unit 300 rotates after the adjustment to the desired resolution, the end surface 324a on the front end side of the C ring 324 is reliably abutted against the abutting surface 217a. The imaging unit 300 can be positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211.

Next, assembly of the imaging unit 300 will be described. In the first embodiment, first, the observation window 215b and the objective lens 311 are disposed at the end of the lens frame 313 on the front end side. Next, the IG bundle 321 is disposed in the IG bundle base 322 so that the opening on the front end side of the IG bundle base 322 and the front end of the IG fiber constituting the IG bundle 321 are flush with each other. And the IG bundle 321 are fixed with an adhesive or the like. The IG bundle 321 is provided with a flexible tube 323 in advance, except for a portion where the tip side IG bundle base 322 is provided. Next, the surface of the base end side of the objective lens 312 constituting the lens unit 310 and the tip of the IG fiber disposed in the IG bundle base 322 are brought into contact with each other, so that the objective lens 312 is brought into contact with the tip of the IG bundle base 322. Fix to the side edge with adhesive. Then, the distal end portion of the IG bundle unit 320 to which the objective lens 312 is fixed in this manner is inserted into the lens frame 313 from the proximal end side opening of the lens frame 313. Then, the IG bundle unit 320 is moved back and forth in the lens frame 313 to adjust the distance between the objective lens 311 and the objective lens 312, and after performing optical adjustment such as focus adjustment, the IG bundle unit 320 is moved toward the lens frame 313. The bundle base 322 is bonded and fixed with an adhesive or the like. Thereby, the lens unit 310 and the IG bundle unit 320 are integrated, and the assembly of the imaging unit 300 is completed.

In addition, after assembling the imaging unit 300 in this way, the C ring 324 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 with an adhesive or the like at a predetermined distance from the tip of the lens unit 310. Then, the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216 from the base end side of the distal end hard member 211, and the C ring 324 is formed on the abutting surface 217a through the groove portion 217 formed on the inner wall surface on the base end side of the imaging hole 216. The imaging unit 300 is positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211 by abutting against the distal end side end surface 324a.

Thus, after positioning the imaging unit 300 with respect to the distal end hard member 211, the imaging unit 300 is placed in the imaging hole 216 in order to adjust the resolution caused by the arrangement direction of the IG fibers of the IG bundle unit 320. Rotate. Then, after the resolution is adjusted, the imaging unit 300 is fixed to the distal end hard member 211 with an adhesive or the like, whereby the assembly of the imaging unit 300 to the distal end hard member 211 is completed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the imaging unit 300. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the semi-tubular member 325 provided in the imaging unit 300. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the axial direction of the IG bundle base in a state where the semi-tubular member 325 is provided on the IG bundle base 322. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of another example of the imaging unit 300 and the vicinity thereof in the distal end hard member 211 of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 12, illustration of wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 214 is omitted.

In the imaging unit 300 shown in FIG. 9, a semi-tubular member 325 as shown in FIG. 10 is used instead of the C ring 324 as the abutting portion provided in the IG bundle base 322. As shown in FIG. 11, the semi-tubular member 325 is provided separately from the IG bundle base 322 on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322, and the IG bundle base 322 and the semi-tubular member 325 are fixed by an adhesive. Has been. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the front end side end surface 325 a of the semi-tubular member 325 is abutted against the abutting surface 217 a of the imaging hole 216, and the imaging unit 300 is positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211.

When the semi-tubular member 325 is provided in the IG bundle base 322 as the abutting portion of the imaging unit 300, the groove portion 217 extends substantially over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface on the proximal end side of the imaging hole 216. Alternatively, the groove 217 may be formed in a semicircular shape only on the treatment instrument insertion passage 219 side in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface. On the other hand, when the semicircular groove 217 is formed, before the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216, the imaging unit 300 is rotated about the axis, and each IG fiber of the IG bundle unit 320 is rotated. Adjust the resolution due to the alignment direction. The semi-tubular member 325 is attached to the IG bundle base 322 while maintaining the posture of the imaging unit 300 whose resolution has been adjusted, and the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216 from the proximal end side of the distal end rigid member 211. insert. Accordingly, the imaging unit 300 can be positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211 by abutting the distal end side end surface 325a of the semi-tubular member 325 against the abutting surface 217a of the imaging hole 216 while ensuring a desired resolution. .

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where a prismatic member 326 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 as an abutting portion. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a case where a reverse concave member 327 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 as an abutting portion. As the abutting portion provided on the base end side of the imaging unit 300, a prismatic member 326 as shown in FIG. 13 or a reverse concave member whose side contacting the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 as shown in FIG. 14 is recessed. 327 may be provided separately from the IG bundle base 322 on the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 of an endoscope to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit 300 and the vicinity thereof in the distal end hard member 211 of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 15, illustration of wiring connected to the ultrasonic transducer module 214 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 15, as the groove 217 formed on the inner wall surface on the proximal end side of the imaging hole 216 in the distal end hard member 211, the groove 217 is formed on the inner wall surface on the treatment instrument insertion path 219 side. Instead, the groove portion 217 may be formed in a semicircular shape on the inner wall surface on the side opposite to the treatment instrument insertion path 219 side. In this case, a semi-tubular member 325 separate from the IG bundle base 322 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the IG bundle base 322 with an adhesive as the abutting portion that can pass through the semicircular groove 217. Provide. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216 from the proximal end side of the distal end rigid member 211, and the distal end side end surface 325a of the semi-tubular member 325 is brought into contact with the abutting surface 217a of the imaging hole 216. And the imaging unit 300 is positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211.

Accordingly, the wall thickness between the imaging hole 216 and the treatment instrument insertion passage 219 in the distal end hard member 211 is thicker than when the groove portion 217 is formed on the inner wall surface on the treatment instrument insertion passage 219 side. Therefore, the durability of the distal end hard member 211 can be increased accordingly. Further, since it is only necessary to secure a space between the abutting surface 217a and the semi-tubular member 325 on the proximal end side of the distal end hard member 211, imaging with respect to the distal end hard member 211 is performed while reducing the diameter of the distal end side of the distal end rigid member 211. The unit 300 can be positioned.

Further, when assembling the imaging unit 300 to the distal end hard member 211, before the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216, the imaging unit 300 is rotated about the axis, and each IG fiber of the IG bundle unit 320 is rotated. The resolution is adjusted due to the direction of alignment. The semi-tubular member 325 is attached to the IG bundle base 322 while maintaining the posture of the imaging unit 300 whose resolution has been adjusted, and the imaging unit 300 is inserted into the imaging hole 216 from the proximal end side of the distal end rigid member 211. insert. Accordingly, the imaging unit 300 can be positioned with respect to the distal end hard member 211 by abutting the distal end side end surface 325a of the semi-tubular member 325 against the abutting surface 217a of the imaging hole 216 while ensuring a desired resolution. .

The endoscope according to the present invention is useful for positioning the imaging unit with respect to the hard tip member while reducing the diameter of the hard tip member.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 2 Ultrasound endoscope 3 Ultrasound observation apparatus 4 Endoscope observation apparatus 5 Display apparatus 6 Light source apparatus 7 Ultrasonic vibrator 21 Insertion part 22 Operation part 23 Universal code 24 Connector 31 Ultrasound cable 41 Video Cable 211 Hard end member 212 Curved portion 213 Flexible tube portion 214 Ultrasonic transducer module 215 Endoscope module

215a Illumination lens

215b Observation window 215c Treatment tool protrusion 216

Imaging hole

217, 218

Groove

217a, 218a Abutting surface 219 Treatment tool insertion path 219a Bending portion 221 Bending knob 222 Operation member 223 Treatment tool insertion port 241 First connector portion 242 Second connector portion 243 Third connector portion 300 Imaging unit 310

Lens unit

311, 312 Objective lens 313 Lens frame 314 Sudden Stopping portion 314a End side end surface 320 Image guide bundle unit 321 Image guide bundle 322 IG bundle base 323 Soft tube 324 C ring 325 Semi-tubular member 326 Square columnar member 327 Reverse concave shape member

Claims

An imaging unit having a lens unit and an image transmission unit, and imaging a subject;
A treatment instrument insertion path that is provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion that is inserted into the subject and that performs a predetermined treatment on the subject, and an imaging in which the imaging unit is disposed. A distal end hard member formed with a groove on the proximal end side of the imaging hole,
An abutting portion provided on the proximal end side in the distal end hard member of the imaging unit, and abutting against the distal end side end surface of the groove;
An endoscope comprising:
The image transmission unit has an image transmission member and a base provided on the tip side of the image transmission member,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the abutting portion is provided separately from the base and is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base.
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the abutting portion is a C-ring.
The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the C-ring is fixed to the base by adhesion.
5. The image transmission member according to claim 2, wherein the image transmission member includes an image guide bundle in which a plurality of image guide fibers are bundled, or an imaging element and a signal line. Endoscope.
The wall thickness between the imaging hole of the distal rigid member and the treatment instrument insertion passage changes from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the axial direction of the distal rigid member, and the thickness is thinnest. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a distal end side end face of the groove portion is located on a proximal end side with respect to the place.